Cancer in Hong Kong: some epidemiological observations.

A good coverage by the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of cases of the common cancers diagnosed in Hong Kong during 1974-78 is indicated by an excess of cases over deaths registered, which is according to expectation from survival prospects. The trends during 1961-79 showed a rapid increase in mortality from lung cancer in both sexes, a moderate rise in liver cancer in males, and small increases in esophageal cancer in males and colon cancer in females. Cervical cancer was the only neoplasm that showed a decreasing trend, although this was small in proportion. Some epidemiological observations on cancer arising in the lung, liver, larynx, and nasopharynx are presented.